Rohit acknowledged that the road is tough for the youngsters, trying to find a place in this formidable Indian set up.

NEW DELHI: There is no dearth of options to have a settled middle-order going into the World T20 next year reckons stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma, who advocated the need to shift from the chop-and-change policy in order provide the youngsters a sense of security.

Whenever India’s top-order fires, the team stays in a good space but a weak middle and lower order has been exposed a number of times when that does not happen.

Asked if the team has zeroed in on, on this aspect, ahead of the World T20 in Australia, Rohit said, “We have lot of options.”

“They need to get more games under their belt to be more confident and getting the job done. The team, a few years ago, was very much settled so there was not much room for a younger player to come and grab that opportunity,” Rohit said ahead of first Twenty20 against Bangladesh.

“There has always been a chop and change between that number 4,5,6 and 7 as well. So now this is the best time for us to try these guys. Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Manish Pandey then Rishabh as well. There are a lot of guys who can do the job.”

However, he acknowledged that the road is tough for the youngsters, trying to find a place in this formidable Indian set up.

“When they play for their IPL team it’s different but when they come here, it is different ball game. They bat higher for their IPL franchise and that is the challenge in international cricket, you will not get, what you want.

“You have to earn that position and make sure whatever little opportunities you get, you have to make the most of it. In IPL they are guaranteed 15 games but not in international cricket.”

Further explaining India’s preparations for the World T20 next year, Rohit said the team needs to better its performance while batting first.

“We have looked at certain number and stats. Our numbers are very good when we chase whether it’s in India or outside. Something we really want to focus is on posting targets and defending them.

“That is where we are lacking, which is why you saw the last T20 we played in Bengaluru, where the pitch was a bit sticky but we still opted to bat. We wanted to try and challenge ourselves as to how we can take that challenge of posting scores on difficult wickets against difficult attacks.

“We want all our bases covered before we go for the World Cup in Australia. This is the perfect time to do that but at the same time we want to win games. It’s not just about trying. First priority is to win games and then focus on others.”

Rohit’s philosophy is built on the belief that a captain should not consider himself the most important person in the team as he aims to follow the leadership template set by regular skipper Virat Kohli.

Asked how important it is to prepare well for the fast T20 format, Rohit, who has led Mumbai Indians to four IPL titles, said he loves putting his players at the forefront.

“You need a lot of strategies and planning in T20s, understanding of the players and what they can offer. And that is something what I executed with Mumbai Indians.”

“How I look at it, is that when you are the captaining the side, you are not such an important person, the other 10 are the most important players because you want to get the best out of them,” Rohit added.

“Of course, your performance will matter but I don’t like to consider myself at the forefront. The other players become the forefront. I have to focus on them and give them the freedom to express themselves and that has been whole talk how want to go forward and what we want to do with this new lot.”

He was also asked to comment on the difference between leadership from a regular captain as he has now often led the Indian side when Kohli is not available.

“My job as a captain here is very simple. I am not a regular captain so my job is to take the team forward from where Virat has left. What I have done in my limited opportunities is trying to maintain what Virat has done previously with the team.

“Whenever I have been a part of the team, it’s been about taking the team forward, whatever messages given to the boys, just to remind the boys what needs to be done.”

Rohit did not appreciate that the Indian team is ranked just five in the T20s.

“We need to get that number higher. We want to be at top in all three formats, that has been the standard we have set and there is no reason we can’t achieve that.”

Cricket Australia said it will work with Maxwell’s state team Victoria to ensure his reintegration into the game when he decides to return.

SYDNEY: Australian batting superstar Glenn Maxwell will take a “short” break from cricket to deal with mental health issues, Cricket Australia said Thursday.

One of the world’s best short-format batsman, Maxwell leaves Australia’s T20 squad during a series against touring Sri Lanka, after smashing a blistering 62 off 28 balls in the opening match.

“Glenn Maxwell has been experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health,” Cricket Australia team psychologist Michael Lloyd said in a statement.

“As a result, he will spend a short time away from the game.”

Maxwell will be replaced in the squad by fellow power-hitter Darcy Short.

“The well-being of our players and staff is paramount. Glenn has our full support,” executive general manager Ben Oliver said.

Cricket Australia said it will work with Maxwell’s state team Victoria to ensure his reintegration into the game when he decides to return.

“He’s a special player and an important part of the Australian cricket family. We hope to see him back in the team during the summer,” Oliver added.

Young gun Will Pucovski is eying a return to the international stage after taking some time out to deal with mental health issues during a Test series last summer against Sri Lanka. 

The 21-year-old will play for Australia A against Pakistan in a three-day match on November 11 after a strong first class hundred for Victoria this month.

Morrison was seen carrying drinks for the Prime Minister’s XI and pictures of him doing the job has left the world pleasantly surprised.

CANBERRA: In a rare occasion on a cricket field, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison acted as a water boy during a practice game between the Prime Minister’s XI and Sri Lanka at the Manuka Oval here on Thursday.

Morrison was seen carrying drinks for the Prime Minister’s XI and pictures of him doing the job has left the world pleasantly surprised. Meanwhile, Morrison also garnered a lot of respect in social media for his humbleness.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison brought out the drinks in the middle for Prime Minister XI’s side during their warm up game against Sri Lanka. WHAT A GESTURE

In the low scoring T20 match, the Prime Minister’s XI won the game by one wicket against the Islanders. The visitors batted first and could only put on 130 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Harry Nielsen hit a 50-ball 79, but the hosts’ batting line-up fell like a pack of cards and they lost nine wickets before Fawad Ahmed steered his side to victory with a ball to spare.

Debutant spinner Shahbaz Nadeem claimed the final two wickets on successive balls to dismiss the Proteas for 133 while following on in just the second over on day four.

RANCHI: India registered an emphatic victory over South Africa by an innings and 202 runs in the third and final Test at the JSCA Stadium on Tuesday to clinch their first-ever series whitewash over the Proteas.

Needing just two wickets to maintain their supremacy on Day 4, the Indian team completed the formalities within the first 12 balls giving away just one run and concluded what has been a highly dominant show by the No.1 ranked team over South Africa.

Overnight batsman Theunis de Bruyn — who came in as concussion substitute for Dean Elgar — was the first to go as he became Shahbaz Nadeem’s first victim in the second innings. He was caught brilliantly by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha at his individual score of 30.

The very next ball, Nadeem took a rebound catch to dismiss Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi seeing the tossed up delivery went for a hoick straight down the ground and it was struck so hard that Anrich Nortje at the non-striker’s end had no time to react and the ball popped up. Nadeem was alert to the possibility of a rebound and took an easy catch to bring an end to the South Africa second innings at 132.

Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav picked up five wickets apiece during the course of the Test match and spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Nadeem also contributed to India’s success by scalping 3, 1 and 4 wickets respectively.

Earlier, South Africa were bundled out for mere 162 in their first innings in response to India’s 497/9 declared and skipper Virat Kohli enforced the follow-on for the eighth time in his career. Rohit Sharma had scored his maiden double hundred and was well supported by India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane who scored his first ton in India in three years.

The performance of the visitors in the second essay was no different as they kept on losing wickets right from the start and showed no application whatsoever. The Proteas batsmen appeared clueless against the class of the Indian bowlers, especially Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami.

South Africa had already lost the Test series by tasting comprehensive defeats in the first two Tests. In Visakhapatnam, India won by 203 runs and went to register an emphatic innings and 137 runs in Pune.

India now have 240 points in the ongoing World Test Championships after winning all the five matches they have played so far since the inception of WTC and are currently placed at the top spot.

They are now scheduled to play Bangladesh in the two-Test series beginning November 14.

Brief scores: India: 497/9 declared beat South Africa 162 all out and 132 by an innings and 202 runs.

The 39-year-old Dhoni has been on a sabbatical post India’s World Cup exit and is unlikely to feature in three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, set to be picked on October 24.

KOLKATA: The BCCI president-elect Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that he would like to know the national selection committee’s plans with regards to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future and then give his opinion on the matter.

The 39-year-old Dhoni has been on a sabbatical post India’s World Cup exit and is unlikely to feature in three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, set to be picked on October 24.

While Dhoni has not announced his international retirement, the selectors have time and again made clear that they intend to move forward keeping next year’s World T20 in mind.

“I will find out from the selectors when I meet them on October 24. We will find out what the selectors are thinking and then I will put forth my opinion,” the soon-to-be board supremo Ganguly told reporters at Eden Gardens.

Ganguly also said that he would like to speak to Dhoniand know what he wants.

“We will have to see what Dhoni wants. I will also speak to him what he wants to do and what he does not want to do.”

He said that since he was not in the picture, he had no clarity on Dhoni’s future.

“Since I was not in the picture, it maybe a case that it’s not clear with me as of now. Now will be in a position to find out and then will decide on the way forward.”

The former India captain made it clear that he will speak to the selectors and captain once he takes charge at the AGM on October 23.

Earlier the selection meeting was scheduled on October 21 but now it will be held on October 24 along with a selection of India A, B and C teams for the Deodhar Trophy.

“During all this time, I was nowhere in the picture. My first selection committee meeting will be on October 24. So I will ask the selectors and talk with the captain. Coach (Ravi Shastri) won’t be there as per the new Constitution,” Ganguly said.

Asked if Ravi Shastri’s appointment will be subject to discussions since there were questions with regards to the validity of the Kapil Dev-led panel, Ganguly replied in negative.

“I don’t think so that it will jeopardise the selection of Ravi Shastri. I am not sure though. Even we had selected the coach when there was this conflict issue,” said Ganguly.

For the record, the president will not be a part of the selection committee meeting as secretary Jay Shah is the designated convenor.

Obviously, once the team is selected, it can be made public after BCCI president’s mandatory approval.

Ganguly also said that Devang Gandhi and Jatin Paranjpe are eligible to continue as selectors (as per five-year rule).

“Devang and Jatin are eligible to continue. There will be a couple of changes though. We will have to see who has how many days left in their respective tenures.”

Ganguly said that he has already resigned from Delhi Capitals but will continue as the MCC Board Member.

With regards to BCCI representation in the ICC, Ganguly said: “That will be decided by the apex council”.

On who all congratulated him, Ganguly said: “Shikhar (Dhawan), Rishabh (Pant), Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane), Jasprit (Bumrah), Zak (Zaheer), Viru (Virender Sehwag), Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) have all congratulated. Also Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Nasser Hussain.”

However, he was non-committal when asked if Rahul Johri will be attending the next meeting that he will conduct.

“I will not comment on that.”

Kohli, who had dropped below 900 points after the first Test for the first time since January 2018, reached 936, a point less than his career-best rating achieved in August last year.

DUBAI: Virat Kohli reached within one point of top-ranked Steve Smith in the Test batsmen rankings after the India skipper scored an unbeaten 254 in the second Test against South Africa to help his team seal the series 2-0.

Opener Mayank Agarwal also rose in the rankings, breaking into the top 20.

His innings of 108 in the second Test against South Africa helped him progress eight places to reach the 17th position.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, at fourth and ninth places respectively, are the other two Indian batsmen in the top 10.

Ravichandran Ashwin also jumped three spots to number seven while Bumrah continued to remain third in the bowlers’ rankings.

Among the all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja is at number two behind West Indies skipper Jason Holder while Ashwin occupies the fifth place.

Kohli, who had dropped below 900 points after the first Test for the first time since January 2018, reached 936, a point less than his career-best rating achieved in August last year.

The number one ODI batsman thus has a chance to regain the top spot from Australia’s Smith after the final Test in Ranchi.

Although he has just nine months as BCCI chief, ability to survive in chaos signs of Ganguly’s efficiency  

CHENNAI: Soon after Sourav Ganguly’s ascent to the post of BCCI president got confirmed late on Sunday evening, WhatsApp displays of some of those present at the meeting in the Mumbai hotel started changing into selfies with the man in the hot seat. Representatives of various state associations alright, they are also fans. It showed the new chief’s popularity among the set of people he will be presiding over, for the next 9-10 months or so at least.

That is one catch this new BCCI has decided to embrace. President Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and joint-secretary Jayesh George all have to demit office around July-August next year and take the mandatory cooling-off period. They will be completing six years in office by then. This means after a lot of effort to select the candidates, the brainstorming has to start afresh. A new set of officials will have to be elected unless the rule changes.

Some of those who attended the meeting of former and current officials reckoned it was the lack of candidates who don’t face the cooling-off break that forced them to opt for persons who will become ineligible in 2020. “We thought it’s better to go with the best possible options instead of counting how many months remain before they take the break. Rebuilding image is priority and we have the right men in different positions to take care of everything,” said a BCCI veteran who was part of deliberations.

Matters expected to test Ganguly the most are not directly related to cricket. In full charge of a state unit for four years after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the 47-year-old has had the time to see how things work in BCCI. That he succeeded in influencing members to choose him in the face of competition shows he is getting a hang of this, even if it means he enjoyed support from influential quarters. 

Getting good at this game of survival separates him from other former India captains like Anil Kumble or Dilip Vengsarkar, who could not last in administration for as long as they would have liked. But, as they say in cricket, he has just started a new innings.

In his four years as president of Cricket Association of Bengal, Ganguly has been proactive on the cricket front. He has done the much-needed work of upgrading the underground drainage system at Eden Gardens and ordered changes in the nature of pitches for local cricket. Those who work under him reckon he is quick in identifying these problems and addressing them. So cricketers can expect things to get better with Ganguly at the helm.

Ganguly and other candidates for the various posts will have their first meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday after the scrutiny of nominations. It will be more of a team-building exercise and the new officials will formally start functioning after the AGM on October 23. Once they get down to business, expectations will be high of the first BCCI office headed by a former India captain.

BCCI has not been in greatest of position for the last three years. Its image has got tarnished. It’s a great opportunity for me to do something good. In the next few months, we can put everything in place and bring back normalcy in India again.
We will speak to everyone but my biggest priority will be to look after first-class cricketers. I had requested the CoA but they didn’t listen. That’s the first thing I will do, look after the financial health of first-class cricketers. Their remuneration needs to be increased manifold.

I am not sure whether we will get the services of the best cricketers in the system, because they will have other options to avail. Because if they come into the system and not get to do what is their livelihood, it is difficult for them to be part of this system. This needs to be sorted as it is another very serious issue.
That’s one area we will have to take care of, because in the last 3-4 years, we have not received the kind of money we deserve. India generates 75-80% per cent of global cricket revenue, so that’s going to be one of the big agendas.
Nothing can beat being an India captain. In 2000, when I was made the captain, there were issues in Indian cricket. I was looked at someone who could do the job. In this case, it’s not about whether you are player or not, it’s about the ability.

Nominations filed
President
 Sourav Ganguly (Bengal)
Secretary 
Jay Shah (Gujarat)
Vice-president 
Mahim Verma (Uttarakhand)
Treasurer 
Arun Singh Dhumal (Himachal)
Joint secretary
Jayesh George (Kerala)
Councillor 
Prabhtej Singh Bhatia (Chhattisgarh)
GC member 
Khairul Jamil Majumdar (Mizoram)
IPL GC member
Brijesh Patel (Karnataka)

Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was the last man to depart as Ashwin knocked his bails over. He scored 31 runs.

PUNE: Mohammed Shami’s hostile morning spell and an acrobatic catch by Wriddhiman Saha were the highlights of the first session as India reduced South Africa to 136 for six at lunch on the third day of the second Test, here on Saturday.

South Africa’s most experienced pair of skipper Faf du Plessis (52 batting off 76 balls) and Quinton de Kock (31 off 48 balls) were trying to resurrect the innings with a quick stand of 75 runs but Ravichandran Ashwin (1/28 in 8 overs) removed the latter to make matters worse.

Shami (2/28 in 10 overs) bowled with a lot of fire during the session while Umesh Yadav’s (3/27 in 8 overs) third wicket of the innings primarily belongs to Saha, who once again proved why he is rated as the best in the world.

On a pitch where Indian batsmen looked at ease, it was an every moment struggle for the Proteas batsmen.

Shami was getting the semi new-ball to dart back in after pitching while Yadav was primarily bowling outswingers.

Nightwatchman Anrich Nortje (4) was uncomfortable from the start as Virat Kohli set an attacking field that included four slips and a gully.

Shami got deliveries to rear up from the length and one such delivery was awkwardly fended by Nortje and skipper Kohli at fourth slip took a smart catch diving to his right.

Theunis de Bruyn (30) hit a couple of cover drives but it was a moment of inspiration from Saha that brought about his end.

Trying an expansive drive off Yadav, De Bruyn’s hard flash was flying towards first slip and an aerial Saha plucked it off thin air leaving South Africa tottering at 53 for 5.

However, Du Plessis and De Kock batted positively punishing the loose balls and didn’t look in much trouble like the earlier batsmen.

Du Plessis had nine hits to the fence including one maximum, while De Kock hit seven boundaries.

It was Ashwin, who removed De Kock with a classical off-break that pitched on the middle and the southpaw was squared up and beaten trying to play for the turn with bails clipped.

The Kohli-Rahane duo added 158 runs for the unbroken fourth-wicket stand, credit to the India skipper and his deputy for the manner in which they negotiated the first hour.

PUNE: Skipper Virat Kohli blended grace with sheer determination on way to his 26th Test hundred, leading India to 356 for 3 at lunch on day two of the second Test against South Africa here on Friday.

Kohli, during his unbeaten 104, was an epitome of concentration and with the dependable vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (58 batting) for company, grinded the South African attack in the wicketless session that could well give India the decisive upperhand in the game.

A beautiful straight drive off Vernon Philander brought up Indian captain’s 69th international hundred and the celebration was more about contentment than elation. Not for once did he look in any sort of hurry to complete the milestone as he respected the good deliveries.ADVERTISING

The Kohli-Rahane duo added 158 runs for the unbroken fourth-wicket stand and South Africa will certainly feel dejected as their bowlers put up a good show even though the scoreboard suggested otherwise.

While Kohli’s 183-ball innings had 16 fours, Rahane also had eight hits to the fence in 161 deliveries. Kagiso Rabada (3/65 in 24 overs) and Vernon Philander (0/54 in 24 overs), for the second day in a row, bowled a probing first spell without much luck.

Credit to the India skipper and his deputy for the manner in which they negotiated the first hour. Kohli, in particular, was leaving anything that Rabada bowled on the off-stump channel for the first few overs.

The only blemish was fishing at an away swinger from Philander, which a diving wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock failed to latch on to. The bowler’s back-drive off Rabada came soon after as Kohli started opening up.

Anrich Nortje also again tried to bowl short but Kohli played his trademark short-arm pull in-front of the wicket. Kohli entered into the 90’s by deliberately opening the face of his bat and using the pace in Nortje’ delivery to get a boundary in the third man region.

Nortje’s extra pace was also well-utilised by Rahane also as he rode the bounce to play a couple of square cuts. Having survived a DRS appeal off Keshav Maharaj’s innings, Rahane finally completed his 20th half-century with a single off Nortje’s bowling.

Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest bowler to take 350 wickets as he equalled the Muttiah Muralitharan’s record. He reached the milestone by cleaning up Theunis de Bruyn.

VISAKHAPATNAM: India won the first Test match by 203 runs as Mohammad Shami took five wickets. 

Ravindra Jadeja supported him by taking four wickets as Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest to 350 wickets in Test cricket.

South Africa were reduced to 70/8 before Dane Piedt, Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada salvaged some pride.

On Saturday, India declared their second innings at 323-4 in 67 overs to set an improbable 395-run target for South Africa.

South Africa were 11-1 at stumps on day four.

Earlier, the Proteas were bowled out for 431 in their first innings in reply to India’s 502 for seven declared.